NCBA Group Plc reported a 7% rise in full-year profit on Thursday, boosted by strong digital lending growth and higher operating income, while raising its dividend payout by 30%.
The Kenyan lender posted a net profit of 23.4 billion shillings for the year ended December 2025, up from 21.9 billion shillings a year earlier. Profit before tax rose 10.9% to 27.9 billion shillings.
Total dividend payout increased to 11.7 billion shillings from 9.1 billion previously, with shareholders set to receive 7.10 shillings per share.
Operating income climbed 17% to 73.3 billion shillings, while operating expenses rose at the same rate to 37.5 billion shillings. Provisions for credit losses jumped 46.3% to 8.0 billion shillings.
Digital lending remained a key growth driver, with disbursements rising 33% to 1.4 trillion shillings over the year. Customer deposits increased 6% to 532 billion shillings, while total assets grew 8% to 716 billion shillings.
“The 2025 outcomes are a great milestone to close out our 2020–2025 strategy,” Group Managing Director John Gachora said, citing improved diversification and resilience.
NCBA said its Kenyan banking unit remained the main profit engine, contributing 82% of profit before tax, while regional subsidiaries and non-banking units posted steady gains.
The group also unveiled its 2026–2030 “Ubuntu” strategy, which will focus on strengthening core operations, scaling high-growth segments such as retail, SME and insurance, and expanding into new markets.
It added that a proposed acquisition by South Africa’s Nedbank of a 66% stake in the lender could accelerate growth by improving access to capital, diversifying risk and expanding international reach.
NCBA said the combination of its new strategy and the potential deal positions it for sustained long-term growth.